Politics and Sport

Presidents and sports have always been linked. Article: http://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/columnists/shad-powers/2015/02/13/barack-obama-gerald-ford/23372113/

                 President Obama throwing the first pitch of opening day for the Chicago White Sox

On February 27, 2015 my American Sport and the 21st Century class discussed how politics are involved in sport. Sport has been used as a propaganda tool not only nationally but internationally as well. At the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936 Adolf Hitler used the Olympics to promote his "Aryan supremacy" (Lecture 2-26-15). Since then boycotts have grown to exist because of political differences between participating and host countries. 70% of Americans identify as a "sports fan" (Lecture 1-22-15) so it is natural for politics to use sport as a propaganda tool. For example, as discussed in lecture of 2-26-15 the White House holds a reception of Champions, and "Athletes for Obama" was created to generate support for Obama.

Also, a not-so-recent trend of Presidents throwing the first pitch during a baseball game is used very often. In fact, as mentioned in the article Presidents and sports have always been linked every President since President Taft (with the exception of Jimmy Carter) have thrown the first pitch of opening day of a baseball game. It is also mentioned that many presidents have surprising athletic background. Gerald Ford and Dwight Eisenhower played football, Abraham Lincoln wrestled, Richard Nixon was fond of bowling, and the list goes on. This promotes fitness within the country, which was a major deal when Americans fell short of average when it came to physical tests when being drafted for war (Lecture 2-12-15). So, what does this mean? Whether Politicians are promoting sport, or sport is being used to promote an idea it is impossible to get away from the influence of both on one another.